Over 300 athletes are expected at Saturday’s second leg of Athletics Kenya Cross country championships that will be staged at the Kapsokwony High school grounds in Mount Elgon, Bungoma County.

Western Region Athletics Kenya secretary Homer Mugalitsi said that they are expecting a large turnout now that the region has produced top runners in the country.

Speaking to Dailysport.co.ke, Mugalitsi said that the likes of World under 20 3,000m steeplechase finalist Emmanuel Wafula will be leading the 8km junior men category as they prepare to represent the country at the World Cross country championships to be held in Bathurst, Australia next year.

“As a region, we are expecting about 300 athletes who will be competing in various events. For now, we are set,” said Mugalitsi.

 Machakos hosted the first leg two weeks ago and Kapsokwony is the second in the federations series in the run up to world cross country championships ahead of Sotik in two weeks’ time.

Wafula said that he is well prepared for the championships that will be run in his home county.

Wafula, who finished 6th at August’s World under 20 3,000m steeplechase in Cali, Colombia in 8:45.05 in a race won by Ethiopian Samuel Duguna (8:37.92) followed by compatriot Samuel Firewu (8:39.11) and Moroccan Salaheddine Ben Yazide (8:40.62) completed the podium. Another Kenyan Haron Kibet finished a distant 10th in 8:53.79 said that he is ready for the challenge.

“My journey to world cross country will begin in Mount Elgon and I have hope of winning the race. Running at home is better because you compete with the people you know,” said Wafula.

He added that his journey to Bathurst will be starting and ready for the challenge of the world cross country championships.

“When I was in Colombia, it was a learning curve for me. I did not run well but I have good hope of shining in future. As an athlete, I’m still trying and one-day life will change. I got much experience in my first outing, learning on how to clear barriers faster than I did, and avoid slowness on the hurdles,” he said.

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